Earnings Preview: McDonald's

McDonald's (NYSE:MCD) is expected to report Q1 earnings before the market open on Friday, April 20 with a conference call scheduled for 11:00 am ET.

Guidance

Analysts are looking for EPS of $1.23 on revenue of $6.54B. The consensus range is $1.19-$1.26 for EPS, and $6.36B-$6.66B for revenue, according to First Call. In January, the company said commodity prices were "volatile" and said it would strategically take price increases to offset costs. The company forecast a negative impact of 2c-3c from currency on Q1 results and a 16c-18c negative impact on FY12 results. In March, CEO Jim Skinner said he would retire, and will be replaced by President and COO Don Thompson, effective July 1. Tim Fenton, the company's President of Asia, Pacific, Middle East and Africa, will replace Thompson as COO on July 1. Skinner said Thompson is "very talented," and said he believes growth will continue. He said the company is facing headwinds in commodities "like everybody else," and is in a position of strength to adapt.

Analyst Views

Lazard Capital expects earnings and SSS to fall below the consensus estimates, with results being impacted by austerity measures in Europe, the slowdown of the Chinese economy and foreign currency. Analysts and investors will listen for comments from the company on inflation and commodity prices, as well as competition; Bill Ackman, who took a 29% in Burger King (BKC) through Justice Holdings, has vowed to "do the same things McDonald's has done, but more quickly."